noun
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the act or an instance of seizing or the state of being seized
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pathol a sudden manifestation or recurrence of a disease, such as an epileptic convulsion
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A sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered consciousness. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which is often diagnosed on an electroencephalogram.
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See also epilepsy
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of seizure
Explanation
A seizure is the act of taking by legal process or force, such as the seizure of evidence found at the scene of a crime. A seizure is the act of seizing — a forceful action in which an object or person is suddenly taken over, grabbed, removed, or overwhelmed. It's not something you want to happen. Criminals may think the seizure of a wealthy person can bring them a fortune in ransom money. Another kind of seizure is the kind caused by a misfire of electrons in the brain, causing a loss of control of the body. It too is an unwanted taking over by force.
Vocabulary lists containing seizure
The Bill of Rights
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Out of My Mind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"This is a very significant seizure which has deprived the organised crime group behind it of huge profits," said senior investigating officer Dave Phillips.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
The seriousness of the investigation has been highlighted by subpoenas served on the insurers and the reported seizure of Walter’s cellphone and laptop by federal authorities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Tunick's attorneys are arguing that his constitutional rights were violated, including his Fourth Amendment protection from warrantless search and seizure.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
The clause survives as decoration: incorporated, venerated, and incapable of stopping a single seizure.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026
The worst part is, instead of being with her parents or in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses who can help her, she's having a seizure on a concrete sidewalk.
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
Musiala has since revealed he is experiencing "easily treatable absence seizures", stemming from a type of "neurological dysfunction".
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Dr Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, said typical absence seizures usually last seconds and the person affected may appear to be daydreaming or looking blank.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Following his collapse on Tuesday, Musiala posted a statement on Instagram, where he said the seizures have become part of his everyday life.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
The seizures marked a turning point in a federal investigation of Walter’s business empire.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
He was warned that unless treated, he could experience total kidney failure, seizures, and even dementia.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
